At the 90 Euskaltzales that we are truly concerned about the modest use of the Basque Country, three parties have responded to the CAV’s autonomic votes on 12 July: EHBildu, PSE and Equo. In short, we would like to thank you for taking into account the call for the Basque people.

Are you worried about the low usage of Euskera? Yes, to all three parties. Socialists and equals say that policies are needed to promote the use of Euskera, and EHBildu points out to the person responsible for the humble use of Euskera: more responsibility than individuals are responsible for linguistic policy.

Regarding the universalization of Euskera's knowledge in schooling up to the age of 16, EH Bildu advocates a model of immersion and condemnation of the system of linguistic models. Immersion model with local adaptations so that all students can experience the Basque at a high level at the end of compulsory schooling. The socialists refer to the reforms promoted by the lehendakari, Patxi López, which they consider appropriate, and for the horses the system of educational models is outdated and must be unified in a single model that ensures that all those who are of school age learn Basque, offering reinforcement classes to immigrant students.

Moving from basic education to university, the PSE says that the Basque Government should, by virtue of its powers, make private universities see the importance of the presence of the Basque Country. EHBildu, together with the claim of the University District of the Basque Country, emphasizes the need to reactivate and strengthen the movement for the Basque University. Equo says that the balance between the official languages of the Basque Country and other working languages must be sought in the university. And that balance should not be an obstacle to Euskaldun students receiving teaching in their own language, but it should not prevent Basque universities from becoming an open space to the world.

Regarding the role of the Basque Country in the administration, moving from education to another key area, the Socialists and Equenses point out that they have measures to promote the use of the Basque Country, and the citizens of Equo and Bildu state that the general direction of the Government’s superior language policy is essential, depending on the Department of Culture, not the Department of Education, or other departments.

If the linguistic practice of the CAV parties appears in some prominent place, it is in the Basque Parliament of Vitoria-Gasteiz, without disparaging other institutions. That is why the Socialists believe that no one can be forced to speak in Basque; they have the Basques in Parliament who also speak in Basque. In Equo’s perspective, it is up to voters to determine whether a candidate fulfils the necessary requirements for public office. Without reference to the law, decision-making power lies with voters. For EHBildu it is necessary to know the two official languages in order to guarantee the rights of all citizens.

As we live immersed in the audiovisual world, what do they say about EiTB? Equo links the audience to ideological and political independence, and says the audience will grow when credibility increases. For the PSE, quality of content is key to regaining interest in public television. Better audience quality, beyond linguistic fluctuations. For EHBildu, the Basque media, which are expressed and disseminated in Euskera, cannot be submitted to the Spanish-language media. The media of the Basques demand freedom and the elaboration of plans for the normalization of the Basque Country in the Castilian media of the Basque Country (ETB2, Euskadi Radio, etc.). ). Likewise, the need to update the 1982 Law, according to which EITB is "Radio Televisión Española".

The questionnaire contained a question of great political depth: Do you think that with the competences currently held by the CAV, the normalization of the Basque Country can be carried out successfully, within a reasonable time? No one has answered this question directly, with a yes or no. For the PSE, the rights of the Euskaldunes must be guaranteed, but they are in favour of the Basque living in freedom, when using it, without anyone feeling invested. Equo defends linguistic standardisation and equal rights and expresses the following idea: “Today the survival of the Basque Country is not in the hands of those who speak, but those who know and do not speak,” and the government should intervene there. Regarding HBHD, it is significant that when talking about EiTB it is emphasized that the 1982 law is obsolete and even harmful.

The Socialists have also been in favour of the reform of the 1982 law, and Equo has pointed out that the changes that can be proposed in the 1982 law require a process of reflection and the participation of all political and social actors so that the objective is for the majority of the citizens to understand Euskera as a common heritage.

From the Plaza we encourage the parties that have responded and have not responded to the fact that in the election campaign of 12 July the Basque Country is being used more than ever, and finally, we want to address a serious request to all the Vasco-speakers: that in the vote they do not at all value the attitudes of each political party towards our language, and the levels of use that have been responded to, and that, by the way, have been taken into account.

*PLAZARA Group: Yolanda Viadero, Alberto Telleria, Pako Sudupe, Patxi Salaberri Muñoa,

MARTIN Rezola, Manex Ralla, Gilen Mejuto, Xabier Martin, Gerardo Luzuriaga

Iñaki López de Luzuriaga, Karlos Gorrindo, Leonat Egiazabal and Jonjo Agirre